Apparatus and method for automatically packaging articles in wrapper blanks



H. G. GENTRY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Sept. 27, 1960 Flled June 4, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HER/MONO G. GENT,

BY. firm WW4 ATTORNIEKS P 27, 1950 H. a. GENTRY 2,953,883

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Flled June 4, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 2 D g l fL J-wlw IN V EN TOR.

HER/"0ND 6. GE/VTR Y 4 T TORNE Y6 Sept. 27, 1960 APPARATUS AND ME'iHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY H G GENTRY 2,953,883

PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Filed June 4, 1957 'llllllflflllllllllllllllllllllll l4 Sheets-Sheet za k ' INVENTOR.

HRMOIYO a. can! my I 7 BY ATTORNEYS Sept. 27, 1960 H. G. GENTRY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAP-PER BLANKS Filed June 4, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 QQN v: A M m- J E m m6 QQM Q NAbN ATTORNEYS H. G. GENTRY 2,953,883 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS l4 Sheets-$heet 5 Sept. 27, 1960 Flled June 4, 1957 INVENTOR. HERMOIYD G. GENTRV .4rromvsns v Sept. 27, 1960 Flled June 4, 1957 Sept. 27, 1960 H. G. GENTRY 2,953,883

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Filed June 4, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. HERMOIVD G. GE/VTEY ATTORNE Y3 Sept. 27, 1960 H G. GENTRY 2,953,883

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Filed June 4, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 um L IN VEN TOR.

HER/"0N0 G. GENTRY ATTORNEY l 27, 1960 H. G. GENTRY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Flled June 4, 1957 14 'SQBetS-Sheet 9 ATTORNEYS I Sept.-

H. G. GENTRY 2,953,883 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPERBLANKS Filed June 4, 1957 l4 Sheets-Sheet 10 BY HERMOIVE 6. GENTRY i791 7404a 161M14 ATTORNEKS 1N VEN TOR.

Sept. 27, 1960 H. s. GENTRY 2,953,883

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Filed June 4, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 ATTO mvsns p 1960 H. G. GENTRY 2,953,883

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Filed June 4, 1957 l4 Sheets-Sheet 12 262 Fig 2.1 2

g"" a "g f z ((1: I Il1' Z:::L T w Fl g: 22 A H II 1: i" 104 104 IN VEN TOR. HER/"0N0 G. GEN TR Y ArroRNE Y3 Sept. 27,' 1960 H. G. GENTRY 2,953,883

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS Filed June 4, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 15 rum 1 INVEN TOR. 316 HER/"0ND G. GE/YTR) ATTORNEYS Filed June 4, 1957 Fig 25 H. G. GENTRY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING ARTICLES IN WRAPPER BLANKS 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 436 morn/v.6

CAM

246 5/05 FOLDER CAM aarrom Fawn cams \ LOCK CAM INVEN TOR.

HERMOND 6. GENTRY ATIWRNEYS Hermond G. .Gentry, Atlanta, Ga., assignor to Mead Packaging, Inc a corporation of Ohio Filed {lune 4, 1957, :Ser. No. 663,332

15 Claims. c1. 53-209 This invention relates to the packaging of articles, such as cans and the like, in a wrapper blank proportioned to fold about and overlap beneath a-package group of the articles, and more particularly to an advantageous method for carrying out a packaging operation of this sort and to apparatus for performing this method automatically. I

Briefly described, the packagingoperation of the present invention 'is characterized by the continuous delivery of a serially arranged supply of the articles to "be packaged, the restraint of this continuously delivered supply while periodically releasing a package group of articles therefrom, and the transfer of each released package group stepwise past a folding station at which a wrapper blank is applied to and folded to enclose the package group thereat and then past a locking station at which the folded wrapper blank is secured on the package group.

For the purpose .of carrying out this packaging operation automatically, the apparatus of thepresentinvention' is arranged to incorporate an assembly station, a folding station, and a locking station, with meansfor delivering an incoming supply of the articles to be packaged to the assembly station, releasable means in advance of the assembly station *for normally restraining delivery of articles from the "incoming supply thereto, and cyclically operating meansfor transferring "an assembled package group from the assembly station to the folding station and for simultaneously transferriuga preceding package group ,having a wrapper blank foldedthereonfrom the folding station to the locking station; the transferring means acting in :the course of its operating cycle also to release the restraining means momentarily for delivery of a package group of the articles from the incoming supply to the assembly station while :previously assembled package groups are transferred respectively to the folding and locking stations.

Apparatus arranged according to the present invention in the above noted manner requires a much less complicated and less expensive structural :arrangementt-han packaging equipment normally provided for accomplishing the same purpose, while at-the same time operating to exceptional advantage forcarrying out the packaging operation.

These and other features of the present invention are described in further detail below in connection with the acompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an article packaging apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the drive means for the packagingapparatus shown .in 'Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan viewof a representative form of the wrapper blank employed for packaging .a group of articles with the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a package group enclosed by a wrapper -blank-such as is --shown in Fig. 3;-

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan detail illustrating the operating relation of an actuating cam shaft and an associated pivot shaft employed in the packaging apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation detail, partly in section, corresponding generally to Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged opposite side elevation detail of the packaging apparatus shown in Fig. 1, with the frame structure partly broken away and sectioned to show the actuating linkage arrangement for thevarious operating elements of the apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary left end view corresponding to Fig. 1 and further illustrating the arrangement of the assembly station and related structure at the infeed end of the apparatus; a

Fig. 10 is a plan detail, corresponding to Fig. 1, showing the relative arrangement of the assembly, folding and locking stations and illustrating the manner in which articles are delivered to the assembly station and package groups of articles assembled thereat are transferred stepwise to the folding station and then to the locking station;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary detail in plan illustrating the manner in which the holding dogs shown in Fig. 10 are displayed during the recovery stroke of the transfer means;

' Fig. 12 is a section detail taken substantially at the line 1212.in Fig. 11; V

. Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary .detail in end elevation corresponding generally to Fig. 9 and showing in further'detail the arrangement of the releasable means provided in advance of the assembly station for controlling the delivery of articles thereto;

Fig. '14 is a sectional detail taken substantially at the line 1414 in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail taken substantially at the line 1s 15 in Fig. 2

Fig. 16 is a plan detail of the wrapper blank feeding means provided for positioning wrapper blanks in place to be folded about article package groups at the folding station;

Fig. 17 is a section detail of the hopper structure shown in Fig. 16 as seen substantially at the line 1717 in Fig. .16;

Fig. 18 is a transverse section illustrating the arrangement .of the folding station substantially as seen from the line 1818 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 19 is a sectional detail illustrating the arrangement of and actuating linkage for the side folding means provided at the folding station substantially as seen from the line 19-19 in Fig. '18;

Fig. 20 -is an enlarged fragmentary right end elevation detail corresponding generally to Fig. 19 and illustrating further the operation of the side folding means;

Fig. 21 is a sectional detail illustrating the arrangement of and actuating linkage for the bottom folding means provided at the folding station substantially as seen from the line 2121 in Fig. 18;

Fig. 22 is a fragmentary detail in end elevation corre sponding generally to Fig. 21 and illustrating further the operation of the bottom folding means;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged detail illustrating the arrangement of an actuating linkage for-the locking station;

Fig. 24 is a sectional detail taken substantially at the of a packaging apparatus embodying the vention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and more particularly at first to Fig. =1, the representative embodi I afented Sept; 27,1960

ment of the present invention illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a packaging apparatus having a supporting frame structure, as indicated generally by the referenece numeral 10, on which are serially arranged an assembly station at 100, a. folding station at 200, anda locking station at 300, with reciprocal indexing means at 400 operating cyclically for advancing package groups of cans C stepwise through the apparatus to have wrapper blanks W applied thereto as described in further detail below. f

Drive means for the apparatus is carried at the lower portion of the frame structure as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this drive means comprising a suitable drive motor 12 having the pulley shaft thereof coupled through a belt connection 14 to a stub shaft 16 from which a sprocket chain connection 18 runs to drive a countershaft 20. The countershaft 20 is fitted with a clutch hub 22 that is normally engaged by a biased sprocket hub 24 to operate a camshaft 26 therefrom through a further sprocket chain connection 28, while allowing disconnction of the drive to the camshaft 26 at the countershaft 20 by disengagement of the sprocket hub 24 against the bias thereon. The bias of the sprocket hub 24 may be set so that it will disengage automatically whenever overloaded by any jamming of the operating elements or otherwise.

The form of wrapper blank W employed for packaging a group of articles, such as cans C, with the apparatus of the present invention, is of the type disclosed and claimed in US. Patent No. 2,786,572, issued March 26, 1957. As disclosed in this prior patent, and as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the wrapper blank W comprises a top wall panel 50, a pair of side wall panels 52 foldably hinged at opposite edges of the top wall panel 50, and a pair of bottom wall lap panels 54 and 56 foldably hinged at the respective bottom edges of the pair of side wall panels 52 and proportioned to overlap at their extending edge portions to form a rectangular four-sided package P having the ends thereof entirely open as seen in Fig. 4.

The top Wall panel 50, side wall panels 52 and bottom wall lap panels 54 and 56 comprise portions of a unitary blank (see Fig. 3) which is generally rectangular in form and is transversely scored to arrange these portions in a foldably hinged series, with all of the blank portions having an equal length transversely of the blank W that is substantially equal to the length of the package group of cans C to be packaged therein. The bottom wall lap panels 54 and 56 when overlapped form a bottom wall having a width equal to that of the top wall panel 50 and substantially equal to twice the diameter of the cans C so that the wrapper blank W is arranged to enclose a package group formed by two rows of the cans C, and each side wall panel 52 is suitably notched adjacent its foldably hinged edges to provide positioning slots for the cans C along each side wall as indicated at 58. Alternatively, the top wall panel 50 and the bottom wall lap panels 54 and 56 may be proportioned to package a group of cans C arranged in a single row if desired, as described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 602,968 filed August 9, 1956, now US. Patent No. 2,827,165. The Wrapper blankW as arranged in the above noted manner 'is adapted to be applied to a package group of cans C and secured thereon during a packaging operation by an arrangment of the bottom wall half laps 54 and 56 for interlocking engagement to secure the wrapper blank- W in place without, if desired, requiring any glue application at the overlapped bottom wall. For this pur-' pose, the inner bottom wall lap panel 54 has retaining tabs slit therein as at 60, and the outer bottom wall lap panel 56 has related locking tabs 62 slit in the overlapping edge portion thereof. These retaining tabs' 20 and locking tabs 22 are spaced in the bottom wall lap panels 54 and 56 so as to locate them at the .dead spaces between adjacent cans C in a package group and thereby employ these dead spaces to provide clearance for manipulating the tabs into locking engagement. The bottom wall lap panels 54 and 56 are each further formed with apertures 64 and 66 spaced for location within the diameter of cans C packaged in the wrapper blank W so as to provide clearance at these apertures 64 and 66 for gripping the bottom wall half laps 14 and 16 and holding them in proper overlapping relation while the locking tabs 62 are manipulated into locking engagement at the retaining tabs 60, as illustrated in Fig. 5 and disclosed further in copending application Serial -No. 591,632, filed June 15, 1956.

The operation of the packaging apparatus of the present invention for assembling the cans C in package groups and applying the above described wrapper blanks W thereto is actuated from the camshaft 26 through various operating linkages arranged thereat on a pivot shaft 30 and apivot'stud 32 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and described further below in connection with the several operating steps.

The assembly station at which successive package groups of the cans C are selected and assembled from an incoming supply prior to application of the wrapper blanks W thereto comprises a guideway for'receiving the incoming supply of cans C serially, this guideway being formed by a pair of bottom track bars 102 on which the rows of cans C are supported, and side guide members 104 by which the cans C are laterally confined in serial alignment on the track bars 102 (see Figs. 9 and 10). In order to provide for selecting a package group of the cans C from the incoming supply, a bracket mounting 106 is arranged on the frame structure 10 to carry a pair of star wheels 108 in advance of the assembly station 100 for normally restraining the incoming can supply while releasing a package group therefrom to the assembly station 100 during each operating cycle of the apparatus.

For this purpose, the star-wheels 108 are carried on the bracket mounting 106 at the lower end of vertical stud shafts 110 in lateral relation above the track bars 102 for engaging the body of cans C supported thereon. As further illustrated in Figs. '13, 14 and 15, the star wheels 108 are normally locked against rotation by clutch arms 112 pivoted on the bracket mounting 106 to hang so that lugs 114 thereon are biased by gravity to engage notched clutch plates 116 fixed at the upper faces of the star wheels 108, while the lower ends of the clutch arms 112 are offset to extend further downwardly for tripping to release the star wheels 108 at the proper operating periods. Upon release, the star wheels 108 are freed for rotation on their stud shafts 110 so as to allow cans C to pass thereby on the track bars '102 to the assembly station 100 under the feeding pressure of the incoming supply which may be delivered by any suitable form of feed conveyor (not shown).

The number of cans C allowed to pass by the freed star wheels 108 is determined by the related form of the clutch plates 116 thereon. The star wheels 108 are shown in Fig. 13 as being formed with six can engaging pockets between the points thereof and the clutch plates 116 with two diametrically opposed notches 116 therein, as a result of which arrangement three cans C would pass each star wheel 108 between release of the clutch arm 112 at one clutch plate notch 116' and reengagement at the opposite notch so as to deliver a six-can package group at the assembly station 100. If only one clutch plate notch 116' were provided, six cans would pass each star wheel 108, while three notches would pass the cans two at a time, so that this relation can be arranged as desired for a particular packaging operation at hand. In

- order to insure maintaining the cans C properly positioned as they pass the star wheels 108, .a top center guide118 is preferably arranged on the bracket mounting 102 to masses extend downwardly therefrom between the can rows so as to support each can C laterally as it passes to the assembly station 100.

From the assembly station 1% each package group of cans C is advanced as a unit to the folding station Ztltl at which a wrapper blank W is folded thereabout. The track bars 102 and side guide members Mi t forming the guideway at the assembly station 11% extend therefrom to the folding station for carrying the package groups during this advance, and their extending length at the folding station 2% is unsupported beyond an upright frame structure mount 202. so that a wrapper blank W placed across the top of a package group of cans C thereat and folded downwardly at the sides of the package group over the side guide members 164 and then overlapped beneath the bottom track bars 162 as well as the cans C of the package group supported thereon may still be removed endwise thereof.

To provide a supply of wrapper blanks W for applieation to the package groups at the folding station 2%, a hopper structure is arranged adjacently on the upright mount 202 in the form of an inclined plate member 2% having brackets 24% extending right angularly upward from the lower edge thereof for supporting a stacked supply of the wrapper blanks W thereon (compare Figs. 1, 8 and 14). These brackets 2&6 have a friction facing 206 at the upwardly extending blank supporting portions thereof, and a guide means 208 is arranged upwardly of the inclined plate member 2tl4 for maintaining a stacked supply of wrapper blanks W thereon pressed against the lower edge bracket friction facings 2% and thereby gripped for retaining in the hopper structure the remaining wrapper blanks W of the supply as the topmost blank is removed upwardly therefrom.

For this purpose the guide means 2% is fitted with guide arms 2ft! that extend upwardly from a base portion spaced in parallel relation with respect to the lower edge brackets 2% to an upper portion inclined or angled toward these brackets 206 and the guide means 203 is further provided with leg portions 212 that are pivoted adjacent the lower edge of the hopper plate member 224 on pivot studs at 214, the leg portions 212 being formed with elongated slots 212' at which they are carried on the pivot studs 214 so as to mount the guide means 21% with a floating pivoted reach. Tension springs 21s extended intermediately from the guide means leg portions 212 and anchored on the plate member supporting structure adjacent and below the pivot studs 214- serve to bias the guide means 210 so that it is normally maintaincd resting on the plate member 204 and pulled downwardly in opposed relation to the lower edge brackets 206 for gripping wrapper blanks W in the hopper structure as previously mentioned.

The biased arrangement of the pivoted leg portions 212 also allows the guide means to be raised for placing or renewing a supply of wrapper blanks W in the hopper structure. In this connection, the upper edge portion of the hopper plate member 224 is substantially relieved at 204 in an extent reaching centrally below the upper side edge of a stack of wrapper blanks W supported thereon, and the guide means 263 is fitted with a lip member 218 extending below the lowermost wrapper blank W on the plate member 204 at this relieved portion 204. As a result, when the guide means 2% is raised for placing a supply of wrapper blanks W in the hopper structure, any wrapper blanks W remaining therein are raised with the guide means 268 so that the newly added supply may be inserted therebeneath, and the floating pivoted reach of the guide means leg portions 212 allows the guide means 208 to be extended for transferring the lip member 218 below the lowermost blank of the newly added supply as the guide means 208 is lowered in returning it to normal position.

The hopper structure also preferably incorporates end guide plates 220' disposed above the bottom plate mem- 6 her 294 for positioning the wrapper blanks W laterally thereon, and is further provided with roll members 222 pivoted on supporting arms 224 carried by the upright mount 202 so as to hang in weighting relation on the topmost wrapper blank W in the hopper structure adjacent and parallel with the central longitudinal blank axis for additionally facilitating the successive separate removal of the blanks from the hopper.

The removal of the blanks is accomplished by means of suction cups 226 carried on a parallelogram structure 228 operating on cam tracks 230. The cam tracks 230 are supported adjacent one end on the upright frame structure mount 202 and at the other end on a second similar upright mount 232 by means of support bars 234, and these cam tracks 230 are located thereon so as to present the suction cups 226 for gripping the topmost wrapper blank W in the hopper structure adjacent the lower edge of the bottom plate member 2%. The form of the cam tracks 230 is such as to present the suction cups 226 perpendicularly to the inclined bottom plate member 204 for this gripping action, and to withdraw them initiallyin this perpendicular disposition until the gripped lower edge portion of the wrapper blank being removed has been raised above the upward extent of the lower edge brackets 2%, after which the parallelogram structure 228 is actuated by the cam tracks 2% to complete the removal of the gripped blank sidewise over the brackets 2% so as .to pull it from beneath the weighting roll members 222 and finally place the removed blank. across the top of a package group of cans C located at the folding station2tlt).

When placed in this manner by the suction cups 226, the gripped wrapper blank W is in position for folding downwardly at the sides and overlapping beneath the package group to be wrapped therein. The downward folding of the blank is accomplished by means of a pair of folding arms 236 spaced to move downwardly at the sides of the package group and a pair of holding arms 238 arranged within the spacing of the folding arms 236 (see Figs. 18, 19 and 20).. These folding and holding arms 236 and 238 are mounted on a rock shaft 24% that is carried by the cam track support bars 234 and actuated through a connecting rod 242 extending from a fol-.

- lower arm 24- carried at the previously mentioned pivot stud 32 to ride a cam 246 on the camshaft 26. The folding arms 236 are fixed on the rock shaft 245*, while, the holding arms 233 are rotatably free thereon and are made to follow the downward movement thereof by tension springs 248 that cause the holding arms 23% to be brought to bias first on the wrapper blank W at the top of the package group and to remain thereat in holding relation as the folding arms 236 continue downwardly to complete the side folding operation.

After downward folding of the wrapper blank W in this manner at the sides of thepackage group, it is then overlapped beneath the package group by means of a pair of arm members 250 pivoted in scissors fashion below the folding station 2% on a common axis 252 as illustrated in Figs. '18, 21 and 22. These pivoted arm 250 is started, and the finishing fold leg portions 262 are" members 25s each have connecting rods 254 extendingtherefrom to follower arms 256 that are carried by the previously mentioned pivot shaft 3th to ride cams 258 arranged on the cam shaft 26 for actuating the arm members 25$. Each arm member 250 is further arranged with a starting fold leg portion 260 extending laterally therefrom in staggered relation toward the corresponding portion of the other arm member, and is further fitted with a finishing fold leg portion 262 extending sub-stan tially radially therefrom. By this arrangement, the starting fold leg portions 260 act to commence the over lapping of the wrapper blank W beneath the package group as the inward pivoting motion of the arm membefs brought to bear sidewise of the package group as the overlapping is completed to insure a tight disposition of the completely folded wrapper blank W thereon.

Upon completion of the blank folding operation the wrapper enclosed package group is then advanced to the locking station 300 for final securing of the folded wrapper blank W thereon. The locking station 300 is arranged to receive the wrapper enclosed package groups on side guide plates 302 that are fitted with lateral positioning flanges 304 (see Figs. 10, 20 and 21). A center entrance guide member 306 is also arranged at the locking station 300 with a downwardly curved disposition in the direction of the folding station 200 for guiding the overlapped wrapper blank portions properly into direct contact at the bottom of the wrapper enclosed package group as it is stripped endwise from the track bars 102 and side guide members 104 at the folding station 200 and advanced to the locking station 300.

The mechanism provided at the locking station 300 for manipulating the Wrapper locking tab 62 into engagement at the retaining tabs 60 for securing the wrapper blank W on the package group as previously mentioned is of the same form disclosed in detail and claimed in the above noted copending application Serial No. 591,632, except that in the present case provision is made for actuating this mechanism automatically through a connecting arm 308 extending from a follower arm 310 carried on the pivot shaft 30 to ride a earn 312 arranged on the cam shaft 26. In order to hold a package group firmly in place at the locking station 300 as the wrapper blank securing operation takes place, an overhead holddown structure is also preferably provided comprising top lateral guide flanges 314 and a center holddown bar 316 mounted between cross supports 3-18 and 320 carried respectively on the second frame structure upright mount 232 and vertical support rods 322 arranged adjacent the discharge end of the locking station 300, a tie bar 324 being extended from the cross support 318 above the center holddown bar 316 to stabilize the cross support 320 from the upright mount 232. Upon completion of the wrapper securing operation at the locking station 300 the completed package group is then ready for discharge from the machine as described further below.

The reciprocal indexing means 400, by which the package groups of cans C are advanced stepwise through the apparatus from the assembly station 100 to the folding station 200 and then to the locking station 300 for the successive operations described above, comprises indexing bars 402 fitted on slide plates 404 arranged in slideways 406 at each side of the guideway at the assembly station 100, the slideways 406 being carried at the infeed end of the apparatus on support brackets 408 and extending therefrom to an opposite end support on the upright frame structure mount 202. The side guide members 104 of the assembly station guideway are secured directly at the inner sides of these slideways 406 and the infeed end of the guideway track bars 102 are carried on a cross support strip 410 mounted beneath the slideways 406.

The indexing bars 402 extend in a length sufficient to carry feed dogs 412 and 414 mounted thereon at a spacing corresponding to that of the folding station 200 from the assembly station 100, together with holding dogs 416 mounted intermediately at a spacing from the feed dogs 412 corresponding to the longitudinal size of the package group being handled. Each of the feed dogs 412 and 414, and the holding dogs 416, have an angled shape adapting them for pivoted mounting adjacent one end on the indexing bars 402 with the opposite end portion thereof extending laterally to engage package groups at the assembly and folding stations, as illustrated best in Fig. 10. The indexing bars 402 are fitted with pivot studs at 418, 420 and 422 to carry the dogs 412, 414 and 416, respectively, and have torsion springs arranged thereat as indicated at 418', 420' and 422 for normally maintaining the laterally extending disposition of the dogs 412, 414 and 416 as determined by stop pins 424, 426 and 428 arranged on the indexing bars 402 adjacent the respective pivot studs 418, 420 and 422. As thus arranged, the feed dogs 412 and 414, and the holding dogs 416 are yieldably biased for displacement during each recovery stroke of the indexing bars 402 while remaining normally in position to advance the package groups during each working stroke. The reciprocal movement of the indexing bars is actuated from pivoted operating arms 430 to which a connecting rod 432 extends from a follower arm 434 carried by the pivot shaft 30 in relation to an operating cam 436 arranged on the cam shaft 26. The connection of the operating arms 430 to the indexing bars 402 consists of link members 438 which reach from the upper ends of the operating arms 430 to laterally extending block members 440 fixed on the indexing bars of 402. The indexing bars 402 additionally carry block members 442 on which trip dogs are arranged to operate the previously mentioned star wheel clutch arms 112. These trip dogs 444 are pivoted on the block members 442 with an upwardly inclined disposition in the direction of the working stroke of the indexing bars 402, and this disposition is yieldably contained by torsion springs 446 carried by the block members 442 to act thereon. The position of these trip dogs 444 on the indexing bars 402 is such as to carry them beyond the star wheel clutch arms 112 during the recovery stroke of the indexing bars 402, and the yieldably biased arrangement of the trip dogs 444 allow them to pass under the downwardly extending ends of the clutch arms 112 without affecting the locked condition of the star wheels 108 as this occurs during the indexing bar recovery stroke. As the working stroke of the indexing bar 402 commences, however, the trip dogs 444 will return in abutment at the opposite side of the downwardly extending ends of the clutch arms 112 and act to displace them as the working stroke of the indexing bars 402 continues, so as to release the star wheels 108 for allowing a new package group of cans C to pass thereby to the assembly station while the indexing bars 402 complete their working stroke.

In this way package groups of the cans C are successively selected from the incoming supply and delivered to the assembly station to replace each previously assembled package group as it is transferred therefrom to the folding station 200 by the feed dogs 412 carried on the indexing bars 402. The recovery stroke of the indexing bars 402 carries to an extent allowing the feed dogs 412 to lodge behind an assembled package group at the assembly station 100 and advance this group to the folding station 200 during the succeeding working stroke. At the same time, the holding dogs 416 act to confine as a compact unit the package group being transferred so that it will not become disarranged by any momentum effect upon delivery at the folding station. The location of the transferred package group at the folding station is then maintained during the subsequent recovery stroke of the indexing bars 402 by bottom stop arms 448 pivoted beneath the slideways 406 with an extending disposition in the feeding direction adjacent the track bars 102 on which the package groups are supported in advance from the assembly station 100 to the folding station. The stop arms 448 are weighted so that their extending ends are biased upwardly above the level of the track bars 102 for displacement by each package group during transfer thereof to the folding station 200 while remaining arranged to rise again behind the transferred package group and prevent any backward movement thereof from the folding station 200 as the indexing bars 402 recover. By this arrangement, the transferred package group is held to cause displacement of the holding dogs 416 during the recovery stroke, while allowing a relatively heavy bias on these holding dogs 416 through the torsion springs 422' thereat in order to allow them to accomplish their holding function adequately. Because of this relatively greater bias employed at the *holding dogs 416, they are additionaily arranged with angled extensions 41:15" thereon which serve to ride the cans. C of a package group so as to prevent lthe holding dogs 416 from damaging the cans C as they are withdrawn thereby during the recovery stroke.

Upon transfer of a package'group to the folding station 2% in the above noted manner, provision is made for placing a wrapper blank W in registration thereon by connecting the parallelogram structure 222'; carrying the blank gripping suction cups 226 for reciprocation in phase with the operating motion of'the indexing bars 462. For this purpose, connectingrods 264 are extended from the indexing bar operating arms 430 to pivoted operating arms 266 that are carried on the pivot shaft 34) and extend upwardly therefrom to pull rods 268 running to the parallelogram structure 228. V V

The additional feed dogs 414'carr'ied on the indexing bars 4% act to transfer a wrapper-enclosedpackage group from the folding station 209 to the locking station 3% simultaneously with the previously described transfer of a package group from the assembly station ldii to the folding station 2%, so that each working stroke of the indexing bars 402 serves to advance package groups stepwise through the apparatus between the severaloperating stations. In order to discharge the secured package groups from thelocking station 390 arider member 326 is arranged on the center holddown'bar 316 with a pivoted connecting rod 328 running thereto from the suction cup parallelogram structure 228 at the folding station 200 to cause this rider member 326 to follow the reciprocating motion thereof. The rider member 326 is fitted with a roller 31% at which it rests by gravity on the center holddown bar did so as to rise upwardly and pass over a package group at the locking station 3% during recovery and then to lodge in front of this package group so asto discharge it frcmthe locking station BOO-during'the subsequent working stroke.

T hemanner in which the phase relations of the various operating elements described above are arranged during an operating cycle of the packageapparatus of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 25 which shows a timing diagram of the several operating cams 246, 25 8, Biland 436. Starting at the positiona the working stroke of the operating cam 4 36 for the indexing bars 402 extends to the position 2, with a 'followingdwell-to the position f, the recovery stroke then being completed at 'theposit'ioni. The side folding cam 246 starts an initial portion of its working stroke at the position 'd which continues tothe position e, at which a dwell occurs to the position'h. This initial working stroke portion of cam 246 is provided'to move the holding arms 23% downwardly to a gripping position on top of a package group at the folding station 2601 upon completion of the working stroke of indexing cam 436, and the following dwell period of cam 246 is provided to iterrupt the related downward movement of the side folding arms 236 until the recovery stroke of the indexing cam 436 has been substantially completed to withdraw the indexing bars 402 so that they will not interfere with the side folding operation. Thereupon the working stroke of the side folding cam 246 is completed from the position h to the position j, and a further-following dwell is provided to the position a formaintaining the side folded wrapper blank portions inposition while the working stroke of the bottom folding cam 258 commences at the position i and continues to the position a, after which the return stroke of side'folding cam'246'is accomplished from position a to position b. The working stroke of the bottom folding cam 258 is also followed by a dwell period from position a to position during which the bottom folding arms 250 are caused to hold the overlapped wrapper blank portions in position while the working stroke of the indexing cam 436proceeds sumciently to result in transferring "a'wrapper-enclosed package group from the folding station 200 so that -the disposition of the overlapped wrapper blank portions is maintained by the support aiforded at the entrance end of the locking station 300, after which the return stroke of the bottom folding can 258 follows from position 0 to position e. The remaining locking cam 312 starts its working stroke upon completion of the indexing cam working stroke at the position e, which corresponds with the delivery of a wrapper-enclosed package group to the locking stations 300 for securing. The working structure of locking cam 312 is completed at position g, and the recovery stroke extends therefrom to position 1'.

T he present invention has been described in detail above for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to be limited by this description or otherwise except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for packaging articles in an elongated Wrapper blank of substantially rectangular form and comprising a folding station arranged to receive and support a package group of said articles to have a wrapper blank folded thereabout; a hopper structure arranged adjacent said folding station for containing a supply of wrapper blanks, and means for, removing a wrapper blank from a supply contained in said hopper structure and placing said wrapper blank for folding about apackage group of articles at said folding station, said hopper structure including an inclined bottom plate member having brackets fixed at the lower edge thereof and extending right angularly upward forsupporting a stacked supply of said wrapper blanks thereon lengthwise along said lower edge, said brackets having a friction facing at the wrapper blank contacting portions thereof, guide means arranged upwardly of said inclined bottom plate member in opposed relation to said lower edge brackets, said guide means being formed with a lip extending beneath the lowermost wrapper blank of a supply supported on said bottom plate member and with upwardly extending guide arms having a base portion spaced in parallel relation to said lower edge brackets and an upper portion inclined towards said brackets, said guide means being further formedwith leg portions pivoted adjacent the lower edge of said bottom plate member with a floating pivoted reach therefrom, and said floating pivoted leg portions being biased for normally maintaining said guide means resting in guiding position on said bottom plate member and pressing a stacked supply of wrapper blanks thereon sidewise against the friction facings of said lower edge brackets for retaining the remaining blanks of said supply in said hopper structure upon removal of the topmost blank upwardly therefrom, the biased arrangement of said leg portions further allowing said guide means to be raised above said bottom plate member for placing a supply of wrapper blanks thereon, the lip on said guide means serving to raise therewith any wrapper blanks remaining in said hopper structure for inserting therebeneath any wrapper blanks placed on said bottom plate'member, and the floating pivoted reach of said leg portions permitting extension of said guide means against said leg portion bias for transferring said lip to adisposition beneath the lowermost wrapper blank on said bottom plate member upon lowering of said guide means.

2. In apparatus as defined in claim 1, the structure as claimed and further characterized in that said hopper structure additionally comprises at least one floating roll member disposed to rest in weighting relation on the topmost wrapper blank of a stacked supply supported on said bottom plate member, the axis of said roll member running parallel with the longitudinal axis of said wrapper blanks and said roll member resting on said wrapper blanks adjacent the longitudinal center thereof, and said means for removing a Wrapper blank from said hopper structure comprises suction means actuated to grip the topmost blank of a stacked supply in said hopper structure adjacent the edge thereof contacted by the friction facings on said lower edge brackets and to raise said topmost 11 blank edge upwardly above the extending end of said brackets and then withdraw said blank sidewise thereover from beneath said roll member.

3. Apparatus for packaging articles in a Wrapper blank comprising a folding station arranged to receive and support a package group of said articles to have a wrapper blank folded thereabout, a first means at said folding station for placing a wrapper blank across the top of a package group thereat, and a second means for folding said wrapper blank downwardly at the sides of said package group, said second meansincluding a driven rock shaft, a pair of spaced, folding arms fixed on said rock shaft for pressing said wrapper blank downwardly at the sides of said package group, and a pair of holding arms carried on said rock shaft within the spacing of said folding arms, said holding arms being rotatably free on said rock shaft and being linked through a spring connection to said folding arms for following the downward folding movement thereof until brought to bear on said wrapper blank at the top of said package group and thereupon serving to hold said Wrapper blank in place While the downward folding of said wrapper blank at the sides of said package group is completed by said folding arms.

4. Apparatus for packaging articles in a wrapper blank comprising an assembly station at which successive package groups of said articles are separated from an incoming supply, a folding station at which wrapper blanks are folded about and overlapped beneath said package groups, cyclically operating means for transferring a separated package group from said assembly station to said folding station during each working portion of the operating cycle of said means, a first means at said folding station actuated from the cyclic operating motion of said transferring means for placing a Wrapper blank in position across the top of each separated package group at said folding station upon completion of the working portion of the operating cycle of said transferring means, and a second means at said folding station operated cyclically in timed relation to said transferring means for initially moving downwardly from a raised position to bear at the top of said package group following the actuation of said first means and thereby grip a wrapper blank placed in position thereon by said first means, then hesitating during the recovery portion of the operating cycle of said transferring means to await withdrawal thereof so as to clear said package group for downward folding of said Wrapper blank at the sides thereof, and finally folding the gripped wrapper blank downwardly at the sides of said package group prior to the commencement of the next working stroke of said transferring means.

5. Apparatus for packaging articles in a wrapper blank comprising a folding station arranged to receive and support a package group of said articles to stand stationary thereat While a wrapper blank is folded about and overlapped beneath said package group, a first means at said folding station for placing a wrapper blank across the top of a package group standing stationary thereat, a second means at said folding station for folding downwardly at the sides of said stationary package group a wrapper blank placed across the top thereof by said first means, and a third means at said folding station for overlapping beneath said stationary package group a wrapper blank folded downwardly at the sides thereof by said second means, said third means including a pair of members shiftable for extending laterally beneath said package group a starting fold leg portion of each member by which overlapping of said wrapper blank thereat is commenced and completed, and said pair of members each further incorporating a finishing fold leg portion arranged at a generally upstanding right angular relation with respect to said starting fold leg portions to bear sidewise of said package group as the wrapper blank overlapped is completed to insure a tight disposition of the completely folded wrapper blank about said package group.

6. Apparatus for packaging articles in a wrapper blank comprising a folding station arranged to receive and support a package group of said articles to have a wrapper blank folded about and overlapped beneath said package group, a first means at said folding station for placing a wrapper blank across the top of a package group thereat, a second means at said folding station for folding downwardly at the sides of said package group a wrapper blank placed across the top thereof by said first means, and a third means at said folding station for overlapping beneath said package group a wrapper blank folded downwardly at the sides thereof by said second means, said third means including a pair of arm members pivoted in scissors fashion on a common axis, said arm members each being formed with starting fold leg portions extending laterally therefrom in staggered relation toward the corresponding portion of the other arm member, and each of said arm members being further fitted with a finishing fold leg portion extending substantially radially therefrom.

7. Apparatus for packaging articles in a wrapper blank comprising a folding station arranged to receive and support a package group of said articles to have a wrapper blank folded about and overlapped beneath said package group thereat, and a locking station arranged to receive from said folding station a package group enclosed by a folded and overlapped wrapper blank and to support said package group thereat for securing of said wrapper blank thereon; said folding station including a fixed elongated plate structure no wider than said package group and having an unsupported length thereof extending at said folding station toward said locking station, cyclically operating means for intermittently delivering a package group to said folding station and for simultaneously transferring a previously delivered package group intermittently from said folding station to said locking station during each working portion of the operating cycle of said means, means at said folding station for overlapping said wrapper blank beneath a package group and beneath said plate structure supporting said package group thereat, and a common driving means for operating said delivering and transferring means and said overlap-ping means in timed relation, said overlapping means operating upon completion of the recovery portion of the operating cycle of said delivering and transferring means and acting to maintain said wrapper blank overlapped until the successding working portion of the operating cycle of said delivering and transferring means has commenced and resulted in partially transferring a wrapper enclosed package group from said folding station to said locking station sufiiciently to cause the overlapped disposition of said wrapper blank to be maintained by the support afforded at said locking station as the stripping of the wrapper enclosed package group from said plate structure and the transfer thereof to said locking station is completed.

8. Apparatus for packaging articles in a wrapper blank comprising an assembly station at which successive package groups of said articles are separated from an incoming supply prior to application of said wrapper blanks thereto, said assembly station including a guideway for receiving said incoming supply of articles serially thereat, at least one star wheel mounted adjacent said guideway in advance of said assembly station for rotation by said incoming supply of articles as received serially by said guideway, releasable means normally locking said star wheel against rotation and thereby normally restraining said incoming supply of articles in advance of said assembly station, cyclically operating means having a working stroke during the operating cycle thereof for transfer-ring from said assembly station each package group of articles separated thereat, and tripping means carried by said cyclically operating transferring means and acting during each working stroke thereof for releasing said star wheel locking means to allow rotation of said star wheel by a serial number of articles from said incoming 

